Name, Image and Likeness Provides Unique Opportunity for SCSU Student-athletes

The world of college athletics is constantly changing throughout the country and on all levels of competition, and the same is true at St. Cloud State University for its student-athletes.

Among the latest changes introduced to the college athletic landscape includes the NCAA adopting guidance governing student-athletes' Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), a policy that went into effect in 2021. This allows student-athletes to build their personal brands and receive compensation for the first time ever.

Before the policy went into effect, student-athletes and their programs were subject to penalization by the NCAA if found to have received any form of compensation during their time as a college athlete. But now, NIL allows student-athletes the freedom to do so - within NCAA rules and guidelines - which provides a new Husky Experience for athletes at SCSU.

"The new NIL opportunities have really changed the way we are able to position our student-athletes," SCSU Director of Athletics Holly Schreiner said. "Instead of restricting what they do and not allowing them to benefit from their success and achievements, there is now a platform, if students choose, to promote themselves and benefit financially from it."

Like with other college athletes, NIL allows Huskies to use their name, image and likeness in a variety of ways, including promoting their own business, promoting or endorsing a corporate entity, conducting campus clinics, making appearances, signing autographs and more.

SCSU student-athletes can now make compensation, either in-kind or monetarily, for engaging in NIL activities and are allowed to enter into legitimate NIL agreements with representatives of athletics interest - also known as boosters - as long as the agreement doesn't include one of the restricted areas within NCAA rules.

As part of NIL, SCSU student-athletes may enter endorsements or NIL activities with sponsors of the University or entities that compete with sponsors of the University. Only those who are non-SCSU employees can compensate or arrange compensation to a current or prospective intercollegiate student-athlete for their name, image or likeness.

"We have to remember that NIL deals are not a get rich quick opportunity for most student-athletes, especially those at the Division II level," Schreiner said. "While there are opportunities, not all opportunities come with a price tag that is life changing. But for those students who are able to make the connections and are willing to put in the time, NIL opportunities are a great way to enhance their scholarships and make some extra money on the side."

In an attempt to assist student-athletes in building their personal brands, SCSU announced ahead of the 2023-24 season a partnership with Opendorse, the industry leader in NIL. The partnership includes the Huskies Marketplace, which serves as SCSU's official NIL marketplace for student-athletes.

This new and accessible platform offers Huskies fans, brands and sponsors a single, streamlined platform to easily find, pitch, book and compensate SCSU student- athletes for their NIL services.

Through the partnership with Opendorse, student-athletes at SCSU have full access to the company's all-in-one NIL platform, which provides best-in-class compliance, content and education tools.

This proven partner will help student-athletes navigate this new aspect of the intercollegiate experience, further enhancing their experience as a Husky.

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